This is what Paul Martin said at the UN Climate Change conference in Montreal.
Update… edited Martin quote for completeness as quoted by CTV.ca
To the reticent nations, including the United States, I say there is such a thing as a global conscience, and now is the time to listen to it… Now’s the time to join with others in our global community. Now is the time for resolve, for commitment and leadership and, above all, now is the time for action. Because only by coming together can we make real and lasting progress.
Apparently US officials have sent an official complaint to Canadian Ambassador Frank McKenna over the above statement.
My take on it?
Someone got up on the wrong side of Texas this morning…. if you can’t handle as gentle and frankly wishy-washy a push as the one delivered in the above quote you need to give your head a shake. What else is the leader of the Host nation of a conference on Climate Change going to say… “Let’s just forget it and keep polluting!”?
Get Real.
Update
Looks like the US delegation isn’t happy with the City of Montreal either. Considering the City has invited Bill Clinton to speak (in 15 minutes… see it on the BBC website) today, the last day, of the conference.
“They haven’t protested formally, but they’re annoyed,” a source in the Canadian government, conference host, said of the U.S. delegates. “They’re not infuriated, but they’re not thrilled.”
Gee. Wonder why.
Once again, partisan politics goes places it simply has no place being.
Update 2
Stuff like this really gets my goat.
CBC News correspondent Neil MacDonald said he has been told that the Americans are watching the election campaign, and if there is too much anti-U.S. rhetoric, that it would an impair progress on sensitive political issues between the countries.
Ya know what, it’s our campaign, we can take issue with whatever we’d like. It just so happens that there are plenty of current “issues” that directly involve the Canada-US relationship. It may not mean diddley in South Louisiana (actually, ironically, the Softwood Lumber dispute DOES matter down there) but it affects the day-to-day life of all Canadians.
If what Paul Martin said above is classified “anti-US rhetoric” than I guess we’re all screwed cuz I’ve certainly heard much worse than that (from the US Democratic Party… but they’re all traitors now anyway, right).
sheesh.